Black oil beetle - a champion species for the Mendip Hills National Landscape

You'll learn to love the Black oil beetle. This lumbering, shiny black beetle lives a very strange life. Watch the film to find out more this parasite, with some really rare footage! Mike Dilger learns all about this champion species from Nathan Orr, Nature Recovery Ranger for the Mendip Hills National Landscape.
Black oil beetles are emerging now and if you come across one you know you're on really good grassland that's rich in flowers. You're also probably in the Mendip National Nature Reserve along the south facing slopes of Mendip.
The Champion Species are; adder, greater horseshoe bat, Cheddar pink, dormouse, black oil beetle, water vole, small pearl bordered fritillary and skylark. What makes them champions? They’re all threatened and vulnerable to disappearing from our lives. They all tell us how good, or not, the areas are where they live. And, they’re all quirky, conversation-starters!